MART Studios:
A Recession-Era Success Story and a Beacon for the Arts in Ireland
Sarah Callaghan, March 2025
MART Gallery studios Rathmines, Dublin
When MART Studios was founded in 2007 by Irish artist and curator Ciara Scanlan and producer Matthew Nevin, few could have predicted that it would grow into one of Ireland’s most influential artist-run spaces. That year marked the beginning of the global financial crisis, which hit Ireland particularly hard, leading to mass unemployment, a property market collapse, and an exodus of young professionals. But where others saw despair, Scanlan and Nevin saw an opportunity to create an affordable, sustainable infrastructure for artists at a time when creative spaces were disappearing.
Today, MART Studios stands as a testament to the resilience of the arts community in hard times, offering studio spaces, exhibition opportunities, and a thriving creative network. With locations in Dublin and Galway, MART has not only survived the post-recession years but has flourished, proving that art can triumph even in economic adversity.
Turning Crisis into Opportunity: The Role of the Recession in MART’s Beginnings
At its core, MART is more than just a collection of studio spaces, it is a social enterprise built to foster creativity, collaboration, and professional development for contemporary artists. Its mission is simple yet powerful, to provide affordable studios and exhibition platforms for emerging and mid-career artists.
While MART operates as a self-sustaining enterprise, the fact that MART was founded in 2007, is no coincidence. Its ability to secure affordable long-term leases may have been influenced by recession-era property dynamics, most notably willingness from landlords to rent out vacant spaces for peppercorn rates.
But MART’s survival wasn’t just about finding cheap space, it was about creating a sustainable model. It reinvests studio rental income to support artists, avoiding reliance on short-term grants. MART also thrives through collaborations with public bodies, arts councils, and local authorities such as their partnership with Fingal County Council with a Graduate Studio Award.
City council partnerships and public funding initiatives highlight how governments can play a role in ensuring that art and culture remain accessible. Without affordable studios, many artists would be priced out of cities, leading to a cultural drain. A worry Galway - a UNESCO city of film, has with the recent closure of the art house cinema Palas.
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Studio Spaces and Growing Influence
MART’s main headquarters in Rathmines is housed in a former fire station, a symbol of urban repurposing that embodies MART’s ethos of transforming underused spaces into creative hubs. Beyond Rathmines, MART has expanded to locations in Harold’s Cross, Crumlin, Blackpitts, Cabinteely and Galway city, showing its commitment to decentralising artistic activity beyond Dublin’s city centre.
Exhibitions, Public Engagement, and the Importance of Visibility
Beyond studio rentals, MART plays a crucial role in bringing contemporary art to the public as well as being involved in curating over 80 exhibitions worldwide. Its gallery in Rathmines hosts a dynamic program of exhibitions, installations, and performances, featuring both local and international artists.
Regular workshops, mentorship sessions, and an Annual Members Exhibition ensure that MART’s community remains engaged, supported, and visible. By creating public-facing events, MART helps bridge the gap between artists and audiences, making contemporary art more accessible to the wider community.
In May 2025 it will bring back a daily market in its Dublin gallery, supporting artists by providing a platform to showcase and sell their work. While the gallery is rooted in fine and contemporary art, it rejects the elitist view that market stalls undermine artistic value, instead recognising them as essential platforms for artist to engage with the public and sustain their practice financially.
MART Harolds Cross, Dublin
Final Thoughts: The Arts Community Thrives in Hard Times
MART Studios is a prime example of how artists and creatives can turn adversity into opportunity. The 2007 recession might have marked a period of financial hardship, but for MART, it became the catalyst for an enduring creative movement.
Today, MART continues to expand, proving that art spaces are not just luxuries, but necessities in urban landscapes. With continued support from city councils, funding initiatives, and its own self-sustaining model, MART is set to remain a vital hub for Irish artists for years to come.
As Ireland faces repeated economic and social challenges, one thing is clear where there is creativity, there is resilience and MART has built a growing, resilient art community that will continue to thrive.
